****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I needed another light stand and decided to give the Kupo 40" Turtle Base Kit a go. It consists of three components--base, two-riser column and arm--rather than a single integrated unit. Component design allows compact storage and compatibility with other Kupo C-stand parts, e.g., riser columns, extensions, booms and grip heads. The column sections and legs move silky smooth and lock securely with large t-handles. And, yeah, the turtle base twist lock and big beefy T-handles make for fast setup and teardown.It’s an attractive piece of kit: fit and finish are excellent and materials—chromed steel tubes with aluminum locks—appear strong enough for war zone duty. Of course, all that metal helps stability but comes at a cost: weight. This beast is 24LBs according to my bathroom scale! So great for studio use but not something I’d want carry to a gig in the boondocks. However, it disassembles quickly and folds fairly flat for storage or transport and fits in my On Stage SSB6500 Speaker And Mic Stand Bag along with a Manfrotto 420CSUNS.The relatively small footprint means it fits in spaces big folding tripod-style light stands dare not tread. I rarely need to saddlebag the base with my small CFL heads and softbox, but I sometimes hang a counterweight on the arm for balance and ease of movement.I mainly use the Kupo to hold a CFL light head and softbox, but have pressed it into service to hold a DSLR for overhead video. Add a Manfrotto 143BK bracket and small ball head and it holds solid. Not as versatile as a jib crane but good for static shots.I own two of these stands and am extremely pleased with their quality, design and performance. And, while a little pricy, is money well spent due to the increased durability and stability.
